Maker: Mareko (Mark) Maumasi (click to see more by this maker)Item num: 92213*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***Blade length: 4.00 in.Total length: 8.90 in.Blade width: 1.05 in.Blade thickness: 0.05 in.Item weight: 2.00 oz.Blade: Damascus hand forged from 15N20 and 1080 carbon steelsBolster: Integral damascus bolsterHandle: Stabilized buckeye burl with curly mango wood accentsDescription: Mareko Maumasi is creating some of the most exciting chef's knives that I have ever seen. He worked for years with Mastersmith Bob Kramer. It is no surprise that his understanding of kitchen knives as well as insight into working with steel is exceptional. His moniker is Maumasi Firearts. His friendship with Journeyman Smith David Lisch has helped push his knifemaking to the next level, as he has incorporated tremendously complex damascus and integral bolsters into his repertoire.
This high performance paring knife is a great choice for detail tasks such as slicing garlic, taking the eyes out of potatoes and the heads off strawberries. It is one of the most important knives in the kitchen, second only to your all-purpose chef's knife or santoku. This knife draws heavily on Japanese kitchen knives, with the downturned, santoku tip and octagonal, ambidextrous handle.
Mareko forged the damascus to have tremendous amounts of detail hidden in the steel. The complex pattern combines a biased ladder patter with an ultra-fine linear damascus. The blade and bolster are all made from one solid piece of damascus. Though integral knives are regularly done in production work, creating an integral bolster in a custom setting is extremely difficult and shows the maker's skill at its best. The integral bolster was forged so as to approach the blade at an angle -- resulting in a knife that is amazingly comfortable in a pinch grip.
The handle is formed from a solid piece of stabilized buckeye burl surrounded by curly mango wood accents. The workmanship is beautiful and the woods chosen are gorgeous! Stark contrasts between the light and dark aspects are stunning. Alternating silicon bronze and black G10 spacers set between the handle and integral bolster assist the wood to adjust to temperature and humidity changes.
A gorgeous piece built for serious use, yet one of the more dramatic kitchen knives that I have come across!Availability: Not currently available